Pope Defends Migrant Rights on Visit to Bulgaria

Tackling the issues created by migration and responding to it in a humane manner have been central messages in the Pope's first public comments after arriving in Bulgaria on Sunday.

"I would like to urge you to make every effort to encourage the creation of favourable conditions for a decent life so that young people can invest their fresh forces to plan their personal and family future in the fatherland," Francis told Bulgarian President Rumen Radev on Sunday.

"And to you, who know the drama of emigration, I humbly beg to propose that you don't close your eyes, hearts and hands - as your tradition goes - to those knocking at your gates," the Pontiff added.

Bulgaria received criticism for its attitude towards refugees and asylum seekers during the so-called refugee crisis of 2015-2016 when hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East and Africa crossed the Balkans on their way to the West.

Human rights NGOs reported serious police abuses and push-backs against migrants trying to cross the border. Many politicians expressed open hostility to refugees in their political speeches.

The Catholic Church in 2017 had to withdraw a priest, Fr Paolo Cortezi, from the northern town of Belene after his decision to shelter a Syrian refugee family in his parish caused uproar. Fr Cortezi later returned to Belene.

The Pope also defended the rights of migrants and refugees in his address at the Vrazhdebna camp.

"This road is not always easy because it is full of pain. You had to leave your country and seek another one. But hope is always there. The world is full of migrants, people who seek a new place to live," he observed.

The visit to the camp was a last-minute addition to the Pope's three-day schedule. It was co-hosted by...